Need help prioritizing

[tinyfish]

I have too many irons in the fire so to speak.
I need to put an order on the following because I certainly can't afford any two at the same time.

For a 58g
Things I need to prioritize:
Skimmer purchase
Lighting purchase
Wave controller
Apex controller
Chiller
Sump
ATO
Heater and controller
RODI unit with water storage container

It would be great if the Apex controller would handle more than one tank especially if it did it wirelessly. I have 5 tanks pieced together.

 

[sirreal63]

Skimmer purchase Need a good one, high priority
Lighting purchase High priority once you start stocking corals
Wave controller Useless for the most part, save the money
Apex controller Very low priority, you don't need one
Chiller Very low priority, setting the tank up properly negates the need for one unless you are keeping cold water species
Sump Need a good one, high priority
ATO Low priority, as with the controller you can do it without one
Heater and controller Need a good one, high priority
RODI unit with water storage container High priority, you need this before filling the tank

It would be great if the Apex controller would handle more than one tank especially if it did it wirelessly. I have 5 tanks pieced together.

I have never used a controller, never needed one and it is a luxury item. Unless you are brain dead or travel a lot this is something that is not a necessity. It can make life easier if you are away from the tank for extended periods of time.

The chiller is a tough one, but mine has been in the closet since about 2005 or somewhere in there. Heat management is not hard, careful equipment selection and system set up is important.

ATO...somehow I have managed to keep my tanks healthy for a long time without it.

A good skimmer, appropriate lights and a good RO/DI are basics along with excellent water movement are what you need to concentrate on first.

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

Skimmer, lighting and sump are the main priorities IMO.
Everything else can wait.

 

[jfeva0049]

a good skimmer, appropriate lights and a good ro/di are basics along with excellent water movement are what you need to concentrate on first.

+1

 

[MattG]

I'd get the ro/di unit first.

The sump isn't all that important for the health of your tank but if u want an In sump skimmer or other equipment then I'd add the sump earlier then later. I'd personally next add skimmer and then lights. This way u can just house fish until u have adequate lights for coral.

Chiller, controller, auto topoff, wave maker are items to add later if desired

 

[James77]

Skimmer purchase
Lighting purchase
Wave controller
Apex controller
Chiller
Sump
ATO
Heater and controller
RODI unit with water storage container.

The skimmer and lighting are the 2 higher end things I would really research and save up for if needed. Better yet, look in the used forums for some killer deals on either. Halides especially right now have excellent deals as LEDs take over as far as popularity.

RODI is extemely important, sign up for a BRS group buy on their site and its reasonable enough for a high quality unit.

The sump and ATO are going to be cheap enough as well. I would get a Ranco controller for about 60 bucks to control the heater.

Chiller may not even be needed, a $6 clip on fan can have tremendous cooling power if you even have heat problems. I have never needed a chiller in all my years and I have summers that hit upper 90's and I have 2 250watt halides.

Good circultaion is vital, but good wide flow powerheads like Koralia or even Tunze non controllables are priced well. The controllers are great, but not a true need. Once you have one you will tend to always want one, but I could everything I do now with cheap timers from HD or Lowes for the most part.